Toxicology and Poisoning Flashcards
7 cards from real Paramedics Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Toxicology and Poisoning flashcards as text
A patient on digoxin presents with nausea, yellow-green visual halos, and AV block. What is the definitive treatment?
Answer: Digoxin-specific antibody fragments (Digibind/DigiFab)
Digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragments directly bind and neutralize digoxin molecules in the bloodstream, reversing toxicity rapidly.
A patient overdosed on verapamil presents with bradycardia, hypotension, and hyperglycemia. What is the most appropriate first-line antidote?
Answer: Calcium chloride 1 g IV
Intravenous calcium directly competes with the excess calcium channel blockade by raising extracellular calcium levels, partially restoring cardiac conduction and contractility.
A child ingested iron tablets and presents with vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Which chelating agent is indicated?
Answer: Deferoxamine
Deferoxamine specifically chelates free iron, forming water-soluble ferrioxamine that is excreted in the urine, and is the antidote of choice for iron poisoning.
Multiple patients are exposed to a nerve agent (VX) during a chemical attack. Which medication combination is most appropriate?
Answer: Atropine and pralidoxime (2-PAM)
Atropine blocks excess muscarinic stimulation and pralidoxime reactivates inhibited acetylcholinesterase before irreversible aging occurs in nerve agent exposure.
A 19-year-old presents with hallucinations, agitation, and tachycardia after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms. Which intervention is most appropriate?
Answer: Provide a calm environment and consider benzodiazepines for severe agitation
Hallucinogen intoxication is best managed with a calm, quiet environment and benzodiazepines for severe agitation; physical restraints alone can worsen agitation and cause rhabdomyolysis.
A patient presents with hyperthermia (104°F), agitation, diaphoresis, and chest pain after cocaine use. Which life-threatening complications should you prioritize?
Answer: Acute coronary syndrome and rhabdomyolysis
Cocaine causes coronary vasospasm leading to acute MI, and severe hyperthermia with agitation can trigger rhabdomyolysis with subsequent renal failure — both are immediately life-threatening.
You arrive at a scene where multiple patients have been exposed to an unknown chemical. What is the FIRST action you should take?
Answer: Ensure scene safety and don appropriate PPE before any patient contact
Scene safety and proper PPE must be confirmed before any patient contact to prevent secondary contamination, which would create additional casualties and compromise care for all victims.